Mar à Vista

Mar à Vista means "sea in sight" - and that's exactly what you get. This cliff-top restaurant serves fresh fish and seafood with some of the best ocean views in Ericeira. The kind of place where you sit down for lunch and don't leave until the sun starts setting.

The menu is straightforward: grilled fish of the day, seafood rice, clams, and the classic Portuguese dishes you'd expect from a restaurant this close to the water. The fish is fresh - often that day's catch - and cooked simply over charcoal. Robalo (sea bass) and dourada (sea bream) are the reliable orders.

The terrace is the real draw. Perched on the cliff edge with unobstructed views of the Atlantic, it's one of the most scenic dining spots in the Ericeira area. On a clear day, you can see surfers in the water below.

Service is Portuguese-paced - relaxed, friendly, no rush. This isn't a quick meal; it's a long, lazy seafood lunch with wine and ocean air. Embrace the pace.

Book ahead in summer - the terrace is small and fills up fast, especially on weekends. Weekday lunches are easier to snag. Cash is preferred but cards are accepted.